In Search of Hội An’s Lesser-Known and Overlooked Charms

Hội An, one of Vietnam’s top domestic and international tourist destinations, is in danger of developing a negative reputation.

Visitors introduced by glamorous travel guide spreads and disingenuous social media posts can be disappointed when they reach a historic Old Town overrun with tourists, same-same souvenir shops hawking tawdry baubles, carnavelesque spinning basket boats aimed at rowdy backpackers, and overpriced meals whose recipes shirk traditional flavors for international taste buds. But there’s good news. If you’re willing to stray from overworn itineraries, Hội An boasts some beguiling creativity, history, natural splendor, serenity, and adventure.

Based on advice from numerous friends who live in Hội An and our many past travels to the historic trading port just south of Đà Nẵng, Saigoneer has compiled a selection of sights suitable for anyone who has already been to Hội An and thinks they’ve seen it all, or first-time visitors looking to uncover some hidden gems.

Creativity Abounds Alongside Tradition

A nondescript residential address at the outskirts of town provided Saigoneer with our most unexpected and splendidly surreal encounter in Hội An. Nguyễn Quốc Dân has built a cavernous warehouse complete with a skyroof for private rain showers to hold the vast collection of discarded trash that he transforms into works of art according to his philosophy of Tái Sinh-ism. An exceedingly generous and wise artist, if you get in touch beforehand to let him know you want to visit, he will be happy to show you around, potentially upending the way you view empty laundry containers, abandoned altars, bottle caps, and mannequins recovered from graveyards.

In contrast to Nguyễn Quốc Dân’s art workshop is An Nhàn - Exquisite Cultural Gallery & Coffee. Several years ago, its owner, Kiệt, quit his engineering job in Saigon to move back to his hometown and follow his passion for exploring, preserving, and sharing Vietnam’s ethnic minority cultures. He even relocated an entire stilt house, piece by piece, from the highlands and filled it with treasures from his travels. Clothing, kitchenware, jewelry, statues, masks, ceremonial items and decorations from the majority of the nation’s non-Kinh communities are preserved inside the wooden building. While the pieces are for sale, being guided through the collection and listening to the stories Kiệt shares feels more like visiting a museum curated by a passionate explorer than browsing a shop. The coffee is great also, and well worth a visit. 

Meanwhile, Taboo Bamboo Workshop just down the road adds whimsy and outrageous scale to the region’s traditional bamboo craftsmanship. An enormous wasp constructed over months entirely out of bamboo hangs above the workspace where you can learn to make quirky bamboo souvenirs alongside charmingly bizarre bamboo items such as a toilet paper holder featuring a frog riding a unicycle, clocks, and a deep-sea angler fish. 

Even more than bamboo, Hội An has a deep and enduring ceramics heritage that you can explore at the Thanh Hà Pottery Museum just outside of town. While a bit stuffy and surrounded by tourist traps not worth the parking fee or entrance ticket, the craft village’s contained museum provides a fascinating peek into the art form’s origin as well as some celebrated paintings, statues, and notable Cham landmarks miniatures that will transport you around the nation. 

A Cafe for Every Mood and Aesthetic

A seemingly endless variety of cafes provides a perfectly familiar balance to Hội An’s eccentric art and crafts spots. There are plenty of places that serve a great cup of coffee, tea, or juice, which allows you to select your morning or mid-day refueling venue based on cafe style. Several chill choices provide idyllic views over the postcard-worthy rice fields that stretch between the beach and the Old Town, including Xóm Chiêu Coffee. Similarly, a Hội An branch of Saigoneer favorite Slow Cafe is situated in the middle of calm vegetable gardens, complete with the occasional water buffalo in the distance.

Near Nguyễn Quốc Dân’s studio is Rainbow Art & Cafe, which seems to share a similar philosophy of re-use as evidenced by a seating made from a subway car and repurposed furniture amongst paintings by local artists. Its slapdash atmosphere of salvaged creativity is shared with the Reborn Alley, which contains a few thrift shops and a chill spot for drinks. Meanwhile, the city’s downtown has no shortage of great coffee with food fitting cosmopolitan preferences, such as Fika and The Inner Hoainian. Our favorite in that area, however, is the Reaching Out Teahouse, which employs and supports individuals with physical disabilities.

Finding a Place to Rest and Get Raucous

Hội An is also a great place for conventional vacation activities, including embracing energetic vibes and meeting interesting people. During the day, the stretch of sand along the beach invites sun bathers and windsurfers alike, while at night venues like Hít Hà Cafe and Eight Days a Week host live music to accompany cocktails and craft beer. The coolest nightlife spot we know of, however, is Chăm Chỉ Club. The carefree hippy vibes have attracted several Vietnamese to adopt it as an ad hoc art gallery, tattoo parlor, and graffiti training grounds in addition to a spot for live music accented by illicit smoke. 

None of these venues can match the energy of the Duy Hải seafood market at 5 am, however. As the boats arrive before dawn, the docks become a maelstrom of mackerel packing and squid sorting. As long as you stay respectfully out of the way of the people working, it's a great spot to witness local activity and entrepreneurship. 

The water also provides a perfect backdrop for some of our most relaxing hours in Hội An. Cẩm Nam Island is just across from Old Town, but seemingly ignored by most tourists and even locals. A few basic nhậu restaurants, such as Phố Sông Quán serve generous portions of classic drinking dishes accompanied by views of the sunset above downtown and boats carrying guests eager to release lanterns and snap selfies. We were astounded to find such simple, small-town vibes so near the throngs of tourists, but certainly glad we did to best savor a few cold beers in the cool breeze.

Elevating the Entire Experience at Renaissance Danang Hoi An Resort & Spa

No intriguing activity, beautiful view or cultural insight can be properly enjoyed if you are tired, sore, or hungry. Thankfully, Renaissance Danang Hoi An Resort & Spa provides an ideal home base for you to not just explore from, but also return to for refreshing amenities, comfortable rooms, and access to a spectacular private beach. A range of room types, including villas with private pools and beach views, make it a great selection for couples, families, and groups of travelers.

Renaissance Danang Hoi An Resort & Spa is located close to all the action while still offering some peaceful distance, so you feel completely isolated when you enter its tree-filled grounds. Behind the hotel and villas is an expansive private beach that invites swimming and some perfect photos, particularly as the fishing boats drop anchor just beyond the sandbar. You can take it all in while lounging at the infinity pool with a refreshing cocktail in hand, or inside while savoring a truly standout breakfast buffet (and trust us on that –  Saigoneer has plenty of experience to make that claim).

While adhering to Marriott’s renowned service standards, the hotel captures Hội An’s particular vibes and charms. For example, the city’s iconic lanterns hang in the hallway that leads to private spa rooms where local herbs and ingredients are used for treatments that restore your energy after a busy day exploring. Similarly, a bowl of cao lầu noodles in the hotel’s restaurant is an ideal way to enjoy the unique dish in a cool, quiet location. This combination of Hội An identity and international luxury makes Renaissance Danang Hoi An Resort & Spa a perfect partner for exploring Hội An’s overlooked and unexpected delights. If all of the above doesn’t sound like the Hội An you thought you knew, that’s exactly the point.